Fine and Studio Arts at Columbus State University

Columbus State's Fine and Studio Arts program sits right at Georgia's median for earnings, with graduates making $27,436 four years out—60th percentile within the state but still about $10,000 below what Kennesaw State or UGA art graduates earn. The $30,430 in typical debt is notably higher than both the state median ($27,145) and national average ($25,295), creating a challenging debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.33. First-year earnings of $22,798 mean graduates face monthly loan payments roughly equivalent to their entire take-home pay for several weeks.

The 20% earnings growth from year one to year four shows some upward trajectory, but even that improved salary leaves graduates earning less than $30,000. With 44% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on this degree to change their economic trajectory—a heavy lift when starting salaries barely clear $20,000. The program costs more in debt than comparable Georgia options while delivering middle-of-the-pack results.

For families weighing this investment, the math is straightforward: you're taking on above-average debt for average state-level outcomes in a field where even top Georgia programs struggle to reach $36,000 in earnings. If your child is committed to studio arts, look hard at the debt they'd accumulate here versus public alternatives with similar outcomes but lower price tags.